.44 special 255gr load data?

[SgtRage]

First off, no, I don't have a full manual.

I can get a great price on 255gr LSWC for the .44 special here in town ($28/500), but I can't find any load data for that bullet weight. Anyone have a manual handy? I've got Bullseye and 2400 already, and would love to use what I already have.

This is to be shot through a Charter Bulldog, so I'm not looking to hotrod.

 

[nicholst55]

Go to the online Alliant data center here: http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm

Use the 250 grain data and you'll be fine. Weigh a few of your 255 grain bullets and you'll probably find that they're not. Not 255 grains, that is. You may have to adjust the published data downwards just a tad, but honestly, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Walkalong]

Or you could try the Hodgdon Data Center, use 240 grain data, back off 10% & consider that a max load.

Maybe someone who is around their manuals can suggest something.

4.2 Grs of 700X will prove clean, accurate, and fairly mild. I ran up to 4.8 Grs with 240 Gr bullets in mine, although I DO NOT recommend the later load.

 

[joneb]

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...s&gtypeid=1&weight=250&shellid=32&bulletid=47
This data is max so reduce by 10% and work up, I've had good results with Unique, its a little dirty at the lower end, Bullseye will work well in a low to mid-range load, I would start at 4.5gr and call 4.9 max. at the upper-end I find Bullseye less forgiving than slower powders. I'm not sure how 2400 would work from a CA Bulldog ?

I've got Bullseye and 2400 already,

Seems like you could use a medium burn power to fill the hole I've used HS-6 for 240gr LSWC with good results from a 2.5" Taurus 431, now I use AA#5 for heavier bullets and W231 for 180-200gr from a S&W 696.

 

[RidgwayCO]

In the Speer #14 manual, both 2400 and Bullseye are listed for their 250gr Keith bullet loaded in the .44 Special (1.580" COL, CCI 300 primer, Cimarron SAA 5.5" barrel).

Bullseye - 4.5gr minimum (734 fps) ..... 5.3gr MAXIMUM (835 fps)

2400 - 12.0gr minimum (856 fps) ..... 13.0gr MAXIMUM (965 fps)

Speer lists other good choices as SR 4756, Power Pistol, AA #7, AA #5, and Unique (in that order).

QuickLOAD software computes the Bullseye maximum to be within normal SAAMI limits for the .44 Special, but the 2400 max loads to be a little hot. The software computes a maximum of 12.6gr of 2400 to remain within limits. Just another reason why we should always be cautious when reloading...

Interestingly enough, Speer recommends noticeably lighter loads when using their 240gr lead SWC, part# 4660 (swaged lead), plus they shot their tests out of a 3" Taurus resulting in much reduced velocities.

Please use these numbers carefully and work up slowly looking for signs of excessive pressure. I only know what works in my guns, not yours...

 

[SgtRage]

Jibjab, I'd looked there but wasn't sure how much of a difference the 5 grains of bullet weight would matter.

I think I'll try out the 2400 at the low end of that range, 12.0-12.3gr. Though I've heard that 2400 doesn't burn completely in low pressure rounds...

 

[joneb]

Though I've heard that 2400 doesn't burn completely in low pressure

If I had a CA Bulldog that I wanted to shoot for along while, I wouldn't use a slow powder, by the time you have loaded up to get a cleaner burn, you will have beat the crap out of the gun. I had a older jug of AA#7 that I loaded with Nos 200gr JHPs w/WLP and it worked very well, the new batch of #7 was different the powder did not burn by the time the bullet passed through the forcing cone spewing unburnt powder willynilly thus tying up the action using Hornady 200 XTPs(.430) helped but not completely. good luck

 

[SgtRage]

Argh. Ok, bullseye it is. I swear I'm never going to get to use this can of 2400...

 

[joneb]

I think I'll try out the 2400 at the low end of that range, 12.0-12.3gr.

It couldn't hurt to try a few, I would